CONCLUSIONSInternational Workshop on Light Pollution Atacama Desert Museum, Antofagasta. August 2-4, 2010

The participants of the Internatio-nal Workshop on Light Pollution held between February and Au-gust 4, 2010, meeting in Antofa-

gasta, Chile, together with representatives of ESO (European Southern Observatory), Municipality of Antofagasta, OPCC (Office for the Protection of the Quality of the Skies of Northern Chile), OTPC (Sky Quality Pro-tection Technical Office, Instituto de Astro-fisica de Canarias - IAC), StarLight Initia-tive (in partnership with UNESCO-MaB), AURA (Association of Universities for Re-search in Astronomy), CARSO (Carnegie Institution of Washington), University of Hawaii, CieloBuio, ISTIL (Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute, Italy), IDA (International Dark Sky Association) Institute of Astronomy, Universidad Cato-lica del Norte, ILAV (Light, Environment and Vision Research Institute), AURA, and the National Astronomical Observatory (University of Chile),

Recalling the resolutions and recommen-dations of the First International Conferen-ce on Light Pollution (La Serena, 2003) and of XXXVI Symposium of Spanish Commit-tee of Illumination;

Taking into account the resolution 7 of the Starlight International Declaration (La Pal-ma, 2007) which says: “Public administra-tions, the lighting industry, and decision-

makers should also ensure that all users of artificial light do so responsibly as part of an integral part of planning and energy sustainability policies, which should be su-pported by light pollution measuring, both from the ground and from space.”;

Recognizing the guidelines set forth du-ring the International Year of Astronomy (IYA 2009 - IAU-UNESCO) regarding the need for dark skies for the development of astronomy, and their importance for nature conservation highlighted in this Interna-tional Year of Biodiversity (2010);

Given the need to act consistently to de-fend the quality of the night skies as a most important scientific, cultural, environmen-tal and tourist resource;

AGREE:

1To support the development of laws, ordinances and regulations on light pollution control and effi-cient use of energy, taking into ac-

count their implications on people’s quality of life, their impact on climate change, and the requirements related to biodiversity conservation. In particular, supporting the process of revision of the Chilean Emission Standard for Light Pollution Control is consi-dered a primary strategic objective. Special attention will also be given to the develop-ment of standards and simple certifications viable for small communities and municipa-

lities that do not have the necessary tech-nical and administrative means, and to the inclusion of outdoor lighting requirements in the planning of new settlements.

2To support the process aimed to give the highest international re-cognition to those exceptional si-tes for astronomical observation

and generation of science called “Windows to the Universe” in Hawaii, northern Chile, Canary Islands, and South Africa. These si-tes were included as reference cases in the “Astronomy and World Heritage” Thematic Study adopted on August 3rd, 2010 at the 34th Session of the World Heritage Commit-tee (Brasilia, 2010), redoubling the efforts to consolidate intelligent and non-polluting lighting systems in their areas of influence. To this end, a mechanism for coordination and exchange of expertise between the va-rious technical offices and scientific insti-tutions involved will be promoted in order to guarantee permanently the astronomical quality of the sky in these places.

3To support completion and fun-ding of the II World Atlas of the Artificial Night Sky Brightness, gi-ven its importance for the neces-

sary control and knowledge of this pheno-menon, with special emphasis on advan-ced astronomical observation sites and sensitive natural areas. This Atlas would

also be useful to define new scenarios and future objectives regarding the reduction of light pollution.

4To adopt and promote the Prac-tical Guide to Outdoor Lighting (Efficient Lighting and Control of Light Pollution), developed by the

Offices for the Protection of the Quality of the Skies of Northern Chile the Canary Is-lands (OTPC-OPCC) as an informative and educational tool targeted to the general public and to technicians and decision-makers in the lighting industry, to incorpo-rate the new responsible outdoor lighting requirements into the several components: type of outdoor lighting, luminaires and projectors, lamps, design of installations, adaptation to the needs, recommended times and prevention of impacts on envi-ronment and human health. The Offices for the Protection of Sky Quality will send a draft Guide to the IDA (International Dark Sky Association) for review and adaptation in English, as well as to the CIE (Interna-tional Commission on Illumination) for its adoption and recognition. The Guide will also be forwarded to the Urban Futures Programme (UNESCO-MaB, SCOPE) for its acceptance and international dissemina-tion as a reference document.

5To recognize and embrace the pro-posal by the Chilean authorities and the municipality of Antofagas-ta aimed to preserve the quality of

the night sky as a resource for astro-tourism or star-tourism development, implemen-ting the precautionary measures for their safeguarding, and developing tools for the management, agreement, and certification of areas suitable to become Starlight astro-tourist destinations.

6To support and promote research works related to the effect of artifi-cial lighting on human health and biodiversity conservation (wildlife

and ecosystems). In particular, a proposal is made to recognize the work of the “Dark Skies IUCN Advisory Group” and the Bio-

diversity at Night project (Starlight-UNES-CO), and to include a Chilean representati-ve in these working groups.

7To warn locally, nationally, and internationally on the harmful effects of the strong blue compo-nent of some lamps such as those

using mercury alloys (mercury vapor, me-tal halide, induction) and of the cool-colo-red solid-state lighting (LED), which emit significantly at wavelengths below 500 nm. These emissions are especially har-mful if not corrected with filters or other devices, since that part of the light spec-trum is characterized by a greater disper-sion in the atmosphere (glare), and it also increases negative effects on biodiversity and human health.